The Journey

Sometimes our lives can feel more like pressure cookers than a journey. When the pressures of life increase, where do you go? We could turn to numerous Old or New Testament people or look through the generations of the saints where we find individuals like Frances Havergal- who wrote some of the hymns we still sing today. She had what they called then a "delicate health" and experienced great pain most of her life. Or another Frances- Fanny Crosby, who was blind. She wrote over 8,000 hymns. When I consider Daniel and his friends. Captured in the conquest and destruction of Israel, they were taken to Babylon where God blessed them because they were faithful. Their faithfulness to God resulted in a fiery furnace and a lion's den. Due to their faithfulness, we have their stories of how God met them along the way and estabished a Jewish line of descendents who stayed in Babylon and continued in way of Daniel's wisdom. The Magi were waiting for Messiah to come by looking for a star. Many journeys of faith are recorded for us in the Bible. Journeys that created untold pressure upon those who were faithful to God. One in particular stands out- Abraham. God told Abraham to go to Mt. Moriah to offer a sacrifice. Oh yeah, the sacrifice would be his son Issac. Can you imagine how heavy Abraham's heart became when every step brought him closer to his destination and the death of his son? Yet Abraham continued in the journey. Hebrews 12 fills in the gaps we have from the Old Testament story. The Bible book of Hebrews tells us that Abraham reasoned that if all the promises given to him were to come through Isaac, and if God asked him to sacrifice Isaac, then God must be able to raise the dead. Do you sense the pressure of the journey and the reasoning of his faith? Abraham became righteous because he had a tremendous faith in God. He met God in a whole new way, for he discovered that God is Jehovah Jireh, the God who provides. When the pressures of our lives seem overwhelming, we can do what the Saints of old did before. We can turn to the Lord for help. Proverbs 18.10 "The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe." It doesn't matter where our journeys take us, for each of us has the opportunity along the way of calling on the name of the Lord. It is in the name of the Lord that we find help and hope, safety and refuge in the time of storms. May you discover the place of safety and rest in the name of the Lord. Have a Happy New Year. Blessings, Pastor Pete

True Oneness

Hatred. Hostility. Prejudice and racism. These things still raise their ugly head, even in modern man. San Jose State is in the news this week due to these things. Last week it was somewhere else. They reside almost everywhere, including in us. We like to understand why and so we look for a reason why. Yet too often, there isn't a reasonable explanation. However, the root for each of these is sin. All mankind is plagued by sin. The world desires peace and love, justice and equality. Somehow we think we can legislate it. So we make laws to end injustice and inequality, yet often our laws only make the injustice and inequality more pronounced. Sure, we've come a long way. I'm thankful that we have the civil rights movement and the achievements that the laws that have been made. Yet these things still exist and elude being laid to rest. We think that we can throw money at the problem. We give education, healthcare and groceries to those who do not have, somehow leveling the field with those who can afford these. It feels good to help meet genuine need, putting resources where most needed. The American people are a giving people. Yet with all the giving, these four cousins: hatred, hostility, prejudice and racism still exist. They exist because the problems are within our hearts and are a result of a spiritual problem. Our hope for peace, both within and with each other, between one country and another country,is the Prince of Peace. The Bible states that He came almost 2000 years ago. He died on the cross for our sins and rose from the dead in order to give us new life and show us a better way. The Bible says in Ephesians 2.15-16 "For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility,by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace." When people come to faith in Christ, the distinctions that divide us are set aside so that believers are one in Christ. Galatians 3.28 says that "there is no Jew or Greek, slave or free, male or female, for you are all one in Christ." Therefore, the church today should reflect this oneness that comes from being in Christ. It doesn't matter if you are rich or poor, male or female, or which color your skin is. For we are truly one in Christ Jesus.and one day soon, people from every nation will be singing songs of praise together around God's throne in heaven. How can you put "oneness in Christ" into practice now? What attitudes need to change? May you reflect in your word and deed, the fact that you belong to the Prince of Peace who has made all believers one. Blessings, Pastor Pete

Praise The Lord

Do you want joy and peace in your life? Start praising the Lord. When we praise the Lord, we shift our focus from ourselves and onto the greatness of God. We may be in despair, or struggling with sin, or mired so deep into something that there seems no way out. But when we praise the Lord, praise restores our joy and faith. Joy is a natural by-product of a heart that is full of gratitude to God which is expressed in praise. In November, instead of counting your sorrows, try counting your blessings. How has God met a need in your life? How has God surprised you each day? Lamentations 3.22-23 states, "Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning, great is your faithfulness." Why not look for God's tender compassion in your life. His hand is certainly upon you. God desires to show you His mercy. When you see it, praise Him for it. The Psalmist declared "From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the LORD is to be praised." If you look for it, you will find plenty of things to praise God for all day long. As you praise God with all your heart you will begin to notice something. His joy and peace radiating in your heart and confidence in your mind towards what God can do in your life each day. So, let's praise the Lord. Why not keep a daily log. Write down what you see God do and praise Him for it each day. At the end of the month you will be surprised at how active God is in your life. If you decide to keep a log, let me know. Blessings, Pastor Pete

The Journey

What would it mean for you to "finish well?" When you accepted Christ you began a journey of faith. It's a rather long journey that can be arduous at times. It can also bring great moments of joy along the way too. A lot happens over a lifetime of following Jesus. Think of a road trip in your dream car. It's fun to be inside, hearing the engine rev and feeling the torque while cornering. A car can travel a few hundred miles before it needs to be refueled, along with the oil checked and windshield washed. The short stops at gas stations are a necessity for the drive. For it you drive far enough with out refueling, eventually the car will stop and coast over to the side of the road. If you drive long enough, you will see people who need assistance. More than once I've offered help and have been helped when stranded. Following Jesus is a lot like the road trip. Reading the Word and praying are necessary to keep us going, as is attending a worship service with others who are on the same road trip. Being willing to serve and help others is important too. If one neglects reading the Word and praying, yes they can drive for some distance, but eventually they will break down and be stranded on the side of the road. If one neglects times of worship with fellow travelers, they too will eventually be on the side of the road too. If one keeps to himself and doesn't help people along the way, they will miss out on making new friends as well as having the satisfaction of getting someone started again on their journey. Fortunately, our Lord is a Master Mechanic and if we call upon Him, He is more than willing to get us up and running again. But He also gently reminds us that we need regular check ups and fuel if we are to go the distance. He's given us all we need: a Manufacturers Instruction Manual complete with troubleshooting and preventative maintenance chapters. He's given us help lines to call. He's placed people around us who have had the same kinds of trouble and who are more than willing to come to our aid. There is a support group that meets weekly too. All so that we can finish the journey that we began when we accepted Jesus into our hearts. My hope is to keep driving, enjoying the Master and helping others to either continue the journey or to begin one. At the end of life, when the journey is over, and I stand in my Savior's presence, I hope to hear, "Well done, My good and faithful servant." What is it that you hope to do along the way and hear at your journey's end? Have a great trip. Pastor Pete

Jealous for God

Jealousy is never perceived as a positive character trait. Most of the time we think of it as resenting another person due to their success or opportunities. Some confuse jealousy with envy. They are not the same thing. Envy means to intensely desire something that another has, while jealousy resents that the other person has it. There is another meaning for jealousy though. It also means to have an intense desire to keep something you already have. Whether its a job that you work hard to keep or the freedoms we enjoy as American citizens, both require a jealous mindset that drives our behavior to keep that which we have. In other words, we work hard to keep it because we do not want to lose it. The Bible tells us in Duet. 4.24 "For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God." God doesn't resent our successes. In fact the opposite is true. He is our biggest encourager and fan. God wants us to succeed. God is jealous for us, in that, He made us for relationship and for a divine purpose. He desires that we enjoy these gifts and not lose them. God's heart breaks when we go our own way and rebel against Him, for He knows the path that leads to life as well as the path that leads to destruction. He wants us to enjoy life, experience success, fulfill His purpose for us, and to know the freedom from sin's consequence that comes through faith in Jesus. Are we jealous for God? Do we desire Him above all things? Or do we put people and things above God? When we desire the world more than God, we create a distance between us and God that only confession and repentance can restore. The Psalmist said in Psalm 73.25 "And earth has nothing I desire besides you." Our greatest desire ought to be for the Living God, not earthly treasures. Nothing should take precedence in our hearts over God. This is quite difficult to do since we allow our children and families, jobs and treasures, pleasures and selfish desires to take the place God deserves. God told the church in Revelation 2.4 "You have forsaken the love you had at first." God desires you to love Him with all your heart. How do we regain the passion we once had for God? Do you remember the excitement when you first found God? Do you still have the passion or has it become centered on something else? God shouts out "repent" and "come back to me." My prayer is that we would be jealous for God, not allowing anything to interfere with our relationship with Him. Are you jealous for God? Do you protect your time of worship so nothing else takes precedence? Do you spend time in His Word and in prayer? If not, these are signs that you have forsaken your first love. Is it time for you to become jealous for God again? Blessings, Pastor Pete

In The Shadow

Matt and I took a rode trip this summer traveling to Portland to visit the Mackey's, Couer D' Alene to camp out and visit an old friend, Glacier National Park for a family get-together, Little Big Horn, Deadwood, SD, and Mount Rushmore. We made our way to the northwestern part of the state of Indiana, which is considered a subperb of Chicago. I left Matt there in the good hands of his grandparents and headed for home alone. I expected the weather to be hot and humid. The first half of the trip was mostly hot. With the top off of the jeep, wet bandana's around our necks and plenty of cold drinks along the way, we somehow managed. The second half of the trip was mostly rain. When it should have been hot, the clouds covered the sun, casting giant shadows on the landscape below. While in the direct sun was hot, being in the shadow was what I wanted, for the clouds protected us from the sun. When the Israelites were in the wilderness, God made His presence known to them in the form of a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. Sometimes I wish that God's presence was that vivid and His direction so clear, for if you stepped out of the shadow of the cloud, you knew you were going the wrong way. The sun is almost always out in the Sinai desert. Winter months the temperature ranges from 46 to 68 degrees. Summer months the temperature is a warm 100 degrees. Year round, the nights get chilly. God made His presence known to Israel in a way that met their physical need. God appeared as a pillar of fire at night. When the nights were chilly, God kept them warm. When the days were hot and without shade, God provided them the comfort and protection of His shadow. Even in the desert times of life, God makes Himself known in ways that take care of our needs. When tempted to go on in our own strength and wisdom, God is still there, inviting us to come and find rest and comfort, peace and grace. The Psalmist used a different metaphor, but with the same idea. He said, "hide me in the shadow of your wings," and "I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings." Is there any other place that is more attractive and desirable? To be in the shadow means to be in His presence and under His care and protection. May you come in from the weather and find refuge in the shadow of the Almighty God. May you always want to be in His shadow. Blessings, Pastor Pete

Summer Showers

Summer is supposed to be about sunshine and swimming, baseball and hot dogs, vacations and ice cream. Instead, this morning I awoke to the sound of rain down pouring. The news said traffic was a mess and little league games rained out. Rain is not a curse but a blessing. I know you're thinking "but my plans got rained out." Rain is God's way of watering the earth. It's a cycle of rain with water runoff into creeks and rivers that flow to the lakes and oceans, which evaporate to start the cycle all over again. Rain keeps the plants and flowers watered. We need a spiritual rain cycle in our lives. God pouring His truth and grace upon us, which overflows from us to others, from person to person until it returns to God in the form of praise. John Piper once said that "missions exist because worship doesn't." As we experience God's blessing, we are in turn to bless others. The church today is over saturated. It has been blessed beyond measure. We hold onto the blessing as if it is a commodity in short supply. God's economy is far different from ours. For the more we give away, the more we receive. The only way a sponge fully saturated with water can receive more water is by wringing it dry, then it is ready to receive more. Believers are blessed in order to be a blessing. This past week the Exodus ministry closed its doors. It's director said that "Christians had lost the culture war." Here's the problem: The church was never called to wage a culture war. We are, however, in a spiritual war and our culture is a by-product. As citizens of our country, we have the right to voice our values and vote the way we think is right. But politics cannot change a human heart nor transform a life for eternity. But God can and does. God chooses to use us in His cycle of reaching people. Have you been blessed by God? Has God touched your life? Has God transformed you? If so, then wring God's blessings out of your life and into someone else. Let the showers of God's blessings flow from your life to another. Do not be afraid to declare what God has done for you, for when we declare this, we are fulfilling God's plan and opening the eyes of those who know us to the reality of a God who blesses. One by one, person by person, we bring people to Christ. As each receives a blessing, they in turn go out to bless another. May you be a blessing to someone today. Pastor Pete

The Door

This past week the 86th annual National Spelling Bee was held. The winner was Arvind Mahankali, a 13 year old from the state of New York. Twice in previous years he lost to words derived from the German language. Twice this year he overcame German derived words to become the champion of this year's spelling bee. The last word was "knaidel." I'm sure that most of us in Occidental would not know that it is a word used for a small mass of leavened dough. OK, maybe the Blanz's know. The participants study hard in order to know all the variations of words from multiple languages that somehow blend together into words on the spelling list. Leavened dough is used daily, sometimes multiple times each day to make our bread. In the Bible, leaven became associated with sin. Just a little bit of leaven affects the whole batch of dough. So it is with our lives that just a little bit of sin affects our entire life. To rid the dough of leaven is impossible. Once infected, it does it job. The evidence that sin has infected the human race is all around us. From fragmented lives and broken relationships to greed that often results in war and killing. Sin is all around us. In the time of Noah, God said that he was grieved that He had made mankind, for every inkling of their heart and mind was intent on evil. God did judge the human race then and wiped all but one family off the face of the earth. Noah found favor in God's sight. God promised to never destroy the earth by flood again. Jesus said that in the end times it would be like as in the days of Noah. It seems that every inkling of man's heart is full of sin again. It is in the last days that God will judge man again for his sin. The question then is how to survive God's judgment. Noah survived because he found favor with God. The Bible says that he was a righteous man. He did that which was right before God and his fellow man. The only way to please God is through faith in God. So we can conclude that faith plus doing that which is right is the key to surviving God's judgment. Noah expressed his faith by doing what God said to do. So he built an ark according to the specifications God gave. He installed one door on the side to enter in. When God said load up, he did so, along with all the animals that God brought to the ark. After everyone was in, God closed the door. Only those who went through the door were saved. For us today, Jesus is the door. Jesus said "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me." We enter the door through faith in God's provision for sin expressed by the sacrifice of His son on the cross. As with Noah, there is only one door. As with Noah, there is only one way to find God's favor, and that is through faith expressed in our actions. So many today say they believe in God and are Christians, but that is the extent of their profession. But if a person does not ever act upon that "faith" is it really faith? Genuine faith in God will change hearts and transform minds and result in life transformation. God brings about change from the inside out. It is when we live out our faith that we discover the wonderful purpose and will of God for our lives and find God's favor. Jesus, the bread from heaven, offers Himself to us, that we may take, eat and live. May we who profess Christ with our mouths also profess it in how we live our lives. May we bring the bread of heaven to the hungry hearts of a lost world. Blessings, Pastor Pete

What Is On The Heart of God?

Have you ever wondered what is on the heart of God? Would it be a deep love for us, as a mother has for her children? Such love would do anything and sacrifice everything. It is a love so deep that even when we blow it we know that we are still loved by God. Would God's heart be filled with pride over our faith and accomplishments? Pride like when a parent hangs their child's artwork on the fridge or is quick to show the latest pictures. When Satan approached God, God asked, "Have you seen my servant Job?" Can you sense the pride in who Job is? I wonder, does God point us out to the angels and ask with pride, "Have you seen... isn't he or she great? Would God's heart be filled with joy as He considers who we are and who we are becoming? It was for the joy set before Him that Jesus endured the cross. We are His joy. Nothing gives God joy more than when we walk and talk with Him and trust Him fully. Would God's heart be full of confidence as we encounter tough times? Confident we will stand. Confident we will make it through. Confident that our faith will grow stronger. A confidence that cheers and encourages us onward as we walk the narrow way. Would God's heart be please with how we live out our faith? For it is impossible to please God with out faith. Too often we live by what we see and what makes sense to us when God wants us to walk by faith, trusting Him with our all. I wonder, what is on the heart of God when He considers you and me? For all the things that could be on the heart of God, I am awed by the fact that God loves me enough to call me His child. Blessings, Pastor Pete

By Faith

Christians are a very diverse group of people. Coming from all walks of life and from every part of the world, comprising thousands of different denominations. It can be quite confusing trying to figure it all out. But there is one thing that we do have in common. Christians are a people of faith. It is what unites us, even when we come from different faith traditions. We are a people of faith. Specifically, a people who trust in God. Hebrews 11 is often referred to as the Hall of Faith. Within this chapter are the highlights of people just like you and I who lived by faith. Sixteen times the words "by faith" appear. It is by faith that we believe that God exists, that God made the universe, that God has a plan for our lives. "By faith" simply means that we are living by faith. Our faith in God guides us and directs our decisions. Read through this chapter and you will see people living out their faith in God, even in difficult circumstances. Inspite of what we see we hold onto God's promises and entrust ourselves to His plan and purpose. This is the kind of faith that unites all Christians, whether Catholic or Protestant, High church or the most casual gathering. From Hebrews 11 we see the importance of our faith, for without faith we cannot please God. This is the very area that Satan attacks us most. He strives to cast doubt so that we live according to what we see rather than trusting in the promises of an invisible God. But it is faith that gives us sight. It is through faith we realize the promises of God, and it is through living out our faith that we receive the commendation of God. Since we started on a journey of faith, let us not stop nor turn from it. Rather, let us continue on, keeping our eyes on Jesus, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross. He endured it for us that we might be with Him in heaven. He was raised from the dead that we might share in His life and glory. Keep the faith and encourage one another to do the same, for there is no other way to please our heavenly Father. Prayer: Lord, forgive me for the times I've trusted my own abilities to get me through life. Help me to live by faith in You and then through faith to receive all You have planned for me.

Silence is Golden

The prophet Zephaniah (1.7) said, "Be silent before the Sovereign Lord, for the day of the Lord is near." Being still is quite a challenge for us today. We're always on the go, going from this event to that job, to do a certain errand or picking up kids, grocery shopping or a Costco run. We are a people on the go. And on the way we listen to the radio or talk on the phone. Silence seems to be a golden luxury that few enjoy. There are times when we are silent. When we gaze upon a beautiful sunset or a forest surrounding a mountain lake, it can take our breath away. I spoke with someone today who was spewing hatred towards Israel and made comments that there is no history of the Jews being in Palestine, nor in all of Europe. I began to engage him and realized nonsense is nonsense no matter where you find it. I simply kept going. There was just nothing to say to him. His mind was made up and I kept quiet. But Zephaniah enjoins us to be silent before the Sovereign Lord. There is something about the Lord- His presence, His Sovereignty, His majesty. The Lord is an awesome God. What an incredible thing it is to be silent and consider the ways of the Sovereign Lord. 600 years before the birth of Jesus, Zephaniah was given a vision of the future and the nearness of the Lord's return. 2600 years later, we are on the edge of His return. Things are rapidly changing. No, escalating. Earth is moving towards the day of the Lord. In Revelation 8.1 the Apostle John said, "When he opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about a half an hour." The angelic choirs pause their praise, the chants of the elders around the throne stop their worship, the angels proclaiming the holiness of God stop mid-sentence. Total silence in heaven for 30 minutes. Silence in heaven tells us something. The judgment that follows is breathtaking. The day of the Lord is near. We are to be silent as we contemplate all that it means. We also notice a specific time mentioned. 30 minutes. Half hours are important to God. Perhaps a half hour can be our goal, to be silent before the Lord for 30 minutes. To simply contemplate His wonder and majesty. To mediate on His Sovereignty and holiness. To consider His return which is near. Prayer: Lord, help me to be silent before You, my Sovereign Lord. Help me to recall Your glory and holiness, wonder and majesty. May my moments with You prepare my heart for Your return. Amen.

Time To Be Real

A few weeks ago President Obama took another oath of office for his second term. I find it amazing that President Obama stood in our nations capital, placed his hand on the former President Lincoln's Bible, and swore to fulfill his duties as President of the United States. All this on the same day that we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King. A black President being sworn into the highest office in our country, on a national holiday honoring another black man who cared and died for the civil rights of all people. Among the many festivities of the ceremony, Beyonce sang the national anthem. God has gifted her with such an incredible voice. As good as it was, rumors began to fly that she lip-synched the national anthem. On the news today, Beyonce confessed she did lip-synch, and then proceeded to sing the national anthem acappella. Beautifully done, once again. Besides it being a slow day in the news room, I wondered if this isn't a cry from the masses for the authentic. They want it real. Genuine and with raw talent. There is something about a live performance, with all the different pressures working against you, from the weather, to the orchestra, to the large crowds gathering close to hear. I remember shortly after I began a second job driving fork lift that one of my co-workers got in my face. All day long he bumped his fork lift into mine, he cut me off, raced around me, got in my way and in my face. I didn't say anything at the time, but wondered why he was doing it. The next week I asked him, "What's up with last week?" He replied, "Oh, I was just testing you to see if you got angry or not." Knowing I was a Christian and a Pastor, he wanted to know if I was real or a fake. He knew the difference. Jesus calls us to authenticity. It begins with an honest response to God, acknowledging our sin and our need of His forgiveness. At that moment, in complete humility, we find acceptance, love, grace and forgiveness. It is the moment we put our faith in Jesus. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus tells us to be real and authentic, in our character, in how we influence others, in how we practice our faith, in our relationships and in what we ask for in prayer. In his sermon, Jesus compares the hypocrite with the authentic follower. The hypocrite puts on the show. The authentic Christian seeks to do that which is honoring to the Lord, whether or not others see him. James says (2.26) that faith without expression is no faith at all. We can talk about faith all we want, but if we are not living it, then somehow we have transitioned from the real to surreal. Prayer: Lord, help me to be real, beginning with my honesty with You, and help me to live the life You call me to, one that is godly and genuinely based upon my faith in You. May I not play the game of religion, but honestly seek to live out my faith everyday. Amen.

What Does Your Hope Rest On?

Hope. The feeling that what you desire can really occur. Hope is believing that even in the worst of circumstances, that it will somehow turn out OK. With the advent of another year comes a renewal of hope. There is so much we hope for, from better economy to a Congress working together, from world peace to better times. For better health and more success. All of these are good things to hope for. But our hope does not rest in any of these things. For the things we hope to happen may or may not happen. And if we do achieve them, there is no guarantee that we will keep them. What we need is a hope that is secure and able to withstand the fiercest of storms that life can bring. Our hope must run deeper than just a feeling or in the expectation and achievement of certain outcomes. It must rest in the One who is eternal, the One who Is Mighty, the One who is Sovereign, the One who can be our Source of true Hope. Our hope must rest securely in God. Psalm 71.5 "For you have been my hope, O Sovereign LORD, my confidence since my youth." If the Lord is our hope, then He is our refuge- the One we can always turn to. When we feel inadequate, He is the One who becomes our confidence. When we need help, He is the One who shows up. When we seek purpose, we find it in Him. God is the light that chases away our darkness. His grace and mercy gives us hope. David said the Lord had been his hope, since his youth. He wrote this in his old age. Now when a king gets old, people get gittery. Change was in the air. How would the new king do? Would he be fair? kind? What changes might come? The Psalmist knew why he could put his hope in God. God is Sovereign. God is in control. He has dominion over all things. These are words seldom used today but often used in ancient times due to the rule of kings. A king was sovereign, or in control over his kingdom. David knew that God was Sovereign over all because He is the Creator of all things. God invites us to trust Him with our lives and allow Him to accomplish what He desires. For God has a purpose for each one of us. During 2013 we'll be looking at God's Sovereignty and why, when we put our hope in God, that we will never be disappointed. Have a Blessed New Year! Pastor Pete